Reflecting on this year, tumultuous comes to mind. I’m sure I do not have to remind you of everything that happened this year. There is always change, but 2022 really tested our limits.
In so many of our year-end client reviews, the continued upheaval in almost every sphere of local and global life emerged as the top concern. The Phala Phala drama and political shenanigans around the ANCs elective conference here in South Africa, simply mirrored other dramas that unfolded all around the world.
It's almost impossible to find a place in the world where life seemed sane this year.
As we head into the festive season, many of us will be reconnecting with our families for the first time since the pandemic. Many of us are planning to catch up on leave not taken. Most people are saying they desperately need rest.
But we can easily carry the feeling of unsettledness and drama within us, into our holidays and even our next year. The external turmoil can create internal anxiety. It can become a permanent state of stress. Even when we are lying on the beach or going for a walk, the tumultuous environment can stop us from truly resting. And even if we get physical rest, we can remain exhausted by the anxiety created by the outside world, and the uncertain future it speaks of.
That is, if we choose to.
We can also choose to untether ourselves from the turmoil. We can choose to switch off social media, turn off notifications and dial out of the political dialogue. We can choose to have uplifting conversations around our festive tables. We can choose to be present for the fun of board games, the sounds of waves, or the deliciousness of festive food. We can choose to take long walks, read stories and take long naps. We can allow ourselves to escape.
We can choose to rest. Really rest.
What better way to start 2023 than rested?
Ps. This will be the last blog for 2022. I wish you a restful holiday. See you on the other side.
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Kind regards,
Sunél